I spent an hour trying to upload an acceptable photo to my online application and none worked. I used photos taken of self including one recent one of a passport photo.
Do I need to go to where I had passport photos taken this year for a new photo and have them electronically send it to me or what?
ALSO, I took a photo of my passport page as directed and tried to crop it nicely, it still shows all four corners. Any tips there.
If I fail are there professionals that I can go to for success?
Easiest if you use the official UK ETA app.
Have you read through this post?
I used the app. No issues or challenges at all. For most transactions east of the Atlantic, I find that my iPhone apps work far better than PC websites.
Did y'all take a selfie photo? That is what did me on using the online me thod
Are you using the app on your phone? It walks you through the process.
Be sure you are in front of a light colored background during the photo scanning process.
It took me a number of tries at my wife's and my photos. Definitely need another person taking the photo, not a selfie.
I agree. Don’t try a selfie because they can tell. Get someone to take a photo of you following the exact instructions they give you. And make sure you use the app. That is the best method and the easiest and the one that they recommend.
Well, I did it by myself following the apps instructions and it accepted my selfie. And I've entered the UK with no problems.
I just used my passport photo, which I already had electronically. Took five minutes.
Both my husband and I used the App, and took selfies, in front of a white wall at home. As for the image of your passport page, are you holding your smartphone portrait or landscape style? I don’t remember details about that part, but know that it wasn’t any problem.
The big recommendation, which I posted in this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/going-to-the-uk-apply-for-your-eta-by-tomorrow , is when you get to the part in the App procedure where the instructions want you to use your smartphone to scan the chip embedded in the back cover of your passport, don’t waste your time making multiple unsuccessful scanning attempts. Hit “Skip” at the bottom of your screen instead, and it will then just take a couple of seconds to verify your passport number, name, and birthday, and you’re ready for the next step. No scanning needed.
I registered last week, used the app, took a selfie, scanned the passport, submitted and got a confirmation within 10 minutes. easy-peasy
For my wife we had to try twice for the photo, because there was a shadow on the wall behind her. Changed the angle a little bit and problem solved. Confirmation within 10 minutes.
Disclaimer we use Danish passports and mine is brand new. I don't know if there US passports are differnet in a subttle way.
I used the app and took a selfie, which was accepted. As others have mentioned, make sure you have a light background.
Best of luck!
Definitely need another person taking the photo, not a selfie.
I certainly took a selfie and got my ETA accepted. And I have been to the UK twice since then without any problem or question.
There are online apps where you can pay a small fee (about £8) and they’ll guide you in whether your selfie is acceptable, and also lighten it if need be. I used one when I was struggling to take a passport photo. The app gave me a numerical code which I entered in the UK.gov passport site and it then had my photo.
I would imagine they can do something similar for an ETA.
Used my original Passportfoto (not a passport copy!). Worked quickly.
I just had a NEW passport photo taken and it sent to me electronically. I uploaded it to the UK ETAS application with this result:
it was rejected per
"Your photo must be at least 600px x 750px. Upload another photo”
What do I do?
I found a website guaranteed a proper UK photo,
It is vistaphoto.com
Others offer the same, are these safe?
Can you please answer the following questions so we can help you?
Are you using the official UK ETA app on a phone? If yes, iPhone or Android?
Or are you trying to buses the official UK government website?
Apparently those pixels equate to a printed size of 1.77 x 1.38 inches. Personally I use pixillion to convert image file types. I don't know, but assume it can also resize. It did cost me a few £ to install.
Is the US passport size photo different to those dims?
How are you taking the photo - through a camera, your smartphone, or someone else taking it?
Finally, after more than two hours, I managed to pass go, get approval of my ETA to the UK.
The passport photos that I purchased didn't pass muster, but I tried selfie once more and the fourth one did work.
I was prepared to go to a professional photographer, but thankfully, that is not needed now.
Looking forward to our trip to the UK.
Congratulations! You can now mark that off your to-do list.
Actually, after I posted that about no selfies, I remembered that I took a selfie photo of myself for the app. Sorry for the misinformation!
geovagriffith, do you have a tech-knowledgeable friend or child or relative or acquaintance that can help you with this? I honestly think it would be easier and much less frustrating for you if you had some assistance. You could go to them and just bring your phone and passport. I think the more unsuccessful tries you make, the more frustrating it will be beh.
I think anyone would be more than happy to help you.
EDIT: I just read your reply above and congratulations! That's got to feel good! I'm so glad it worked for you!
